Montel Pleads Case For Medical Marijuana Facility

Williams wants to open grow center in NE Washington

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Former television host Montel Williams makes his case for a medicinal marijuana production center in northeast D.C.

Updated at 6:47 AM EST on Thursday, Dec 1, 2011

Former TV talk show host Montel Williams wants to open medical marijuana facilities in the District. Wednesday, he pleaded his case before a crowd of 150 residents in the basement of Israel Baptist Church in Northeast.

Williams has applied for two cultivation center licenses on nearby Queen's Chapel Road.

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Neighbors told him they're worried about crime and the site's location directly across the street from a strip club.

Williams said his organization plans to refurbish the warehouse, and that will actually help the neighborhood.

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"A building that was burned out could be a flagship facility that actually brings some revenue into Ward 5," Williams said.

The former television host is also applying for a license to dispense medical marijuana at another site in the city. He became a vocal advocate for the drug after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Williams says it gives him relief from his pain.